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Generating
"Chemistry" in an Interview
By Pri Notowidigdo
 "Am
I ready for the interview?" You have undoubtedly asked yourself
this question in the past prior to a job interview or maybe
you are asking this question now as you prepare for an interview
in the not too distant future.. No doubt, you have discovered
that preparation is the key to success. The better prepared
you are, the better your chances of being hired.
So how do you prepare for an interview? First make sure that
you've got the right date, time, and venue. Get the correct
name and title of the person you're meeting. Decide how you
should dress and appear so as not to clash with proper attire
in the company . . . and so on. Basically, do a due diligence
of what, where, and when.
The how of the interview, though, is what can make you
or break you. This is where the element of personal chemistry,
or shared values, comes into play. You don't need to alter your
identity for the sake of an interview. The best thing you can
do is to relax, and rely on your empathy, common sense,
and forethought as the best means of generating
personal chemistry in the interview.
Empathy can be used effectively any time you want to
exchange ideas with another person. When you think about it,
that's exactly what an interview is: an exchange of ideas with
another person. "What are the thoughts, feelings, or attitudes
of the person interviewing you?" Only by listening carefully
and asking questions will you find the real needs of the interviewer.
There's little point in selling yourself unless you first learn
what the interviewer wants to buy.
The success of your interview will depend on your ability to
discover needs and empathize with the interviewer. You can do
this by asking questions that verify your understanding of what
the interviewer has just said, without commenting or expressing
an opinion. By establishing empathy in this manner, you will
be in a better position to freely exchange ideas, and demonstrate
your suitability for the job.
In understanding the needs of the employer, ask meaningful
questions by:
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Creating dialogue, which will not only enable the two of you to learn more about each other but will help you visualize what it will be like working together once you're hired;
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Clarify your understanding of the company, the job objective, and responsibilities;
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Indicate your grasp of the fundamental issues facing the organization;
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Demonstrate your ability to probe and ask questions beyond the superficial; and
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Challenge the employer to reveal his depth of knowledge, or commitment to the job and organization.
Your questions should always be slanted in such a way as to show interest, or an understanding of the employer's needs, e.g.
"What are the most important issues facing your department?" This will give you a sense of the company's goals and priorities and indicate to the interviewer your concern for satisfying the company's objectives.
In addition to empathy, keeping in mind other critical elements will ensure a successful interview. Your
enthusiasm in the job is a critical element reflecting motivation for both you and your employer. What you love to do will demonstrate your
technical interest. How you project confidence can instill the interviewer's confidence in you as long as it does not border on arrogance or aggressiveness. Finally, keeping yourself focused on what's happening during the interview will keep the discussion meaningful. Being aware of these elements will influence the way your personality is perceived, and will affect the degree of rapport, or
personal chemistry you will share with the employer.
Since the interview also involves the exchange of tangible
information, make sure that you also:
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Present your background in a thorough and accurate manner;
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Gather data concerning the company, the industry, the position, and the specific opportunity;
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Link your goals, interests, and abilities with the company's needs
in the mind of the employer; and
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Build a strong case on how hiring you can benefit and provide added value to the
company.
The more everyone knows about each other, the more potential you'll have for coming to a mutual understanding and getting an offer of employment.
Think of the interview as a process rather than an event. In this way, you will then come to regard it as a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and find a common ground for future cooperation either as an employer . . . or even as a business partner.
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